Anti-CCP test to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 0.5-1% of the population worldwide, it is a relatively common autoimmune disease. Some of the most prominent manifestations of the disease are progressive osteoarthritis or chronic inflammation of the joints, causing loss of function of the joints. Performing the Anti-CCP test plays a role in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in a timely manner.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease in the world, characterized by inflammation of the joint synovitis, or caused by irreversible damage, leading to loss of joint function. or worse, disabled.
The earlier the diagnosis of the disease will contribute important values ​​in the treatment as well as improve the quality of life for the patient. Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is usually based on clinical criteria associated with rheumatoid factor RF.
However, the clinical symptoms appear quite late, and RF is a non-specific antibody of rheumatoid arthritis, which can be completely detected in infected cases or in healthy people. ... Therefore, early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is difficult.
Recently, medical professionals have used the quantitative determination of IgG autoantibodies against cyclic citrulline peptide (Anti-CCP) in serum, and more specifically for rheumatoid arthritis, to help This diagnostic process is easier and more efficient.

Anti-CCP antibodies, produced by the immune system, function against cyclic citrullinated peptides. Citrulline is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that is involved in the metabolism of arginine (an amino acid). But in some special cases, this process tends to produce intermediate structures that will form a cyclic ring collectively known as citrullinated peptides.
According to the study, this change along with the production of anti-CCP antibodies is often seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Therefore, performing an anti-CCP test is a way to detect CCP antibodies as well as measure the amount of CPP in the body, helping to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis most accurately. Since CCP antibodies have been assessed to have high specificity and sensitivity, the use of this test is of great diagnostic value, especially in combination with RF rheumatoid factors.

Values ​​of anti-CCP plasma index of normal healthy people will be < 17 U/mL, anti-CCP values ​​≥ 17 U/mL mean (+) count.
For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the optimal cut-off of the anti-CCP index is 17 U/mL, in addition, the sensitivity of the anti-CCP test is 67.4% and the specificity. would be 97.0%.
The anti-CCP test is not indicated as a screening test, but is required only when:
Taken together with the RF test, helps diagnose rheumatoid arthritis accurately. May be ordered immediately after a negative RF test, when the patient presents with clinical symptoms such as symmetric arthritis, joint pain, leading the physician to suspect that the patient has rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, this test is also indicated to evaluate the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with nonspecific arthritis, when the patient presents with some relevant clinical symptoms but does not fully converge on the symptoms. criteria for rheumatoid arthritis.
The results obtained from this test need to be combined with the patient's clinical symptoms to give the most objective assessment:
If both anti-CCP (+) and RF (+) count, then In patients at high risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, the disease is likely to be more advanced. If anti-CCP (+) is counted but RF (-) is calculated and the patient shows clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, it is possible to diagnose the patient with rheumatoid arthritis in the early stage and potentially progress in the future. According to a study from the United States, about 95% of patients with anti-CCP (+) count will progress to rheumatoid arthritis. If the test shows anti-CCP (-) but the RF number (+) counts and the clinical symptoms suggest rheumatoid arthritis, then the patient may have rheumatoid arthritis or some inflammatory disease. other. Finally, if both anti-CCP and RF of the patient are positive (-), it shows that the patient is less likely to have rheumatoid arthritis, but the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is mainly based on the patient's diagnosis. Based on clinical factors, rheumatoid arthritis can therefore still be diagnosed from the most typical clinical symptoms even when autoantibodies (-) are counted.
When combined with rheumatoid arthritis tests such as anti-CCP, RF, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and CRP in a patient who has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis by a physician, no additional diagnostic tests are required. expressions like anti CCP and RF (have been (+) counted). To monitor the progress of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, it is sufficient to perform erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP monitoring.

For timely diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint diseases, you should go to reputable facilities to conduct an examination and receive specific advice from a doctor about doing diagnostic tests for joint diseases such as anti-rheumatic fever. CPP diagnoses rheumatoid arthritis along with other screening tests.
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of diseases. When performing the examination process at Vinmec, customers will be welcomed and used modern facilities and equipment along with perfect medical services under the guidance and advice of experts. Good doctors, well-trained both at home and abroad.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.